Studying in Wales: Universities, Bilingual Campuses and the Welsh Medium

Wales is a distinct nation within the UK

Wales is one of the four nations of the United Kingdom, with its own higher-education landscape and its own approach to language. For an international applicant, studying in Wales follows the familiar UK pattern — undergraduate applications through UCAS, English-taught degrees, and a UK Student visa for most non-UK students.

What is distinctive is that Wales is officially bilingual: English and Welsh both have official status. This shapes campus life and creates optional Welsh-medium and bilingual study routes, but it does not require international students to learn Welsh.

Universities across Wales

Wales has several universities spread across the country, from the capital, Cardiff, to coastal and valley towns. Cardiff University is a large research university and a member of the Russell Group, while institutions such as Swansea University, Aberystwyth University and Bangor University serve different regions and subject strengths.

Each university has its own courses, campus environment, entry requirements and fees. Rather than relying on generalisations, explore the official websites — for example cardiff.ac.uk, swansea.ac.uk, aber.ac.uk and bangor.ac.uk — to compare what each offers.

• Cardiff University — large research university, Russell Group (cardiff.ac.uk)
• Swansea University — coastal city in south Wales (swansea.ac.uk)
• Aberystwyth University — mid-Wales coast (aber.ac.uk)
• Bangor University — north Wales (bangor.ac.uk)

What Welsh-medium and bilingual study means

Most degrees in Wales are taught in English, so international students can study without any Welsh. Alongside this, some universities offer Welsh-medium or bilingual provision — modules, assessments or whole courses delivered partly or wholly in Welsh — coordinated nationally by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol works with Welsh universities to expand study through the medium of Welsh and supports students who choose that route. For an international student, this is an opt-in opportunity rather than a requirement; you can study entirely in English and still benefit from a bilingual campus environment. Check each course's language of instruction on the official university page.

Living and studying in a bilingual environment

On a bilingual campus you may see Welsh on signage, hear it in everyday life — especially in parts of north and west Wales — and have the option to learn some Welsh socially or formally. None of this is mandatory for an English-medium degree.

For students who are interested, Welsh-medium study can connect them more closely to local culture and communities. For everyone else, the practical experience of studying in Wales closely resembles studying elsewhere in the UK, with the same UCAS application, English-language entry tests and visa framework.

Applying, fees and the student visa

Undergraduate applications to Welsh universities go through UCAS, with entry requirements typically stated in A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, or recognised equivalents, plus an accepted English test such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE Academic for international applicants.

Tuition fees, scholarships and funding rules vary by university and fee status, so check each institution's official fees pages for current figures and verify them before applying. Most international students need a UK Student visa, which requires a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This is general information, not immigration advice — verify current rules at gov.uk/student-visa.